The Major Operations of the Navies in the War of American Independence eBook

[Footnote 104: Sir John Ross, in his “Life
of Saumarez,” who was lieutenant in the flagship,
says that the flagship only passed ahead of the Buffalo,
and that the rear ships closed upon the latter.
The version in the text rests upon the detailed and
circumstantial statements of another lieutenant of
the squadron, in Ekins’s “Naval Battles.”
As Ekins also was present as a midshipman, this gives,
as it were, the confirmation of two witnesses.]

CHAPTER XII

THE FINAL NAVAL CAMPAIGN IN THE WEST INDIES.
HOOD AND DE GRASSE. RODNEY AND DE GRASSE.
THE GREAT BATTLE OF APRIL 12, 1782

The year 1781 closed with an incident more decisive
in character than most of the events that occurred
in European waters during its course; one also which
transfers the interest, by natural transition, again
to the West Indies. The French government had
felt throughout the summer the necessity of sending
de Grasse reinforcements both of ships and of supplies,
but the transports and material of war needed could
not be collected before December. As the British
probably would attempt to intercept a convoy upon
which the next campaign so much depended, Rear-Admiral
de Guichen was ordered to accompany it clear of the
Bay of Biscay, with twelve ships of the line, and
then to go to Cadiz. Five ships of the line destined
to de Grasse, and two going to the East Indies, raised
to nineteen the total force with which de Guichen
left Brest on the 10th of December. On the afternoon
of the 12th, the French being then one hundred and
fifty miles to the southward and westward of Ushant,
with a south-east wind, the weather, which had been
thick and squally, suddenly cleared and showed sails
to windward. These were twelve ships of the line,
one 50, and some frigates, under Rear-Admiral Richard
Kempenfelt, who had left England on the 2d of the
month, to cruise in wait for this expedition.
The French numbers were amply sufficient to frustrate
any attack, but de Guichen, ordinarily a careful officer,
had allowed his ships of war to be to leeward and
ahead of the convoy. The latter scattered in every
direction, as the British swooped down upon them,
but all could not escape; and the French ships of
war remained helpless spectators, while the victims
were hauling down their flags right and left.
Night coming on, some prizes could not be secured,
but Kempenfelt carried off fifteen, laden with military
and naval stores of great money value and greater
military importance. A few days later a violent
storm dispersed and shattered the remainder of the
French body. Two ships of the line only, the
Triomphant, 84, and Brave, 74, and five
transports, could pursue their way to the West Indies.
The rest went back to Brest. This event may be
considered as opening the naval campaign of 1782 in
the West Indies.